The results of poor pruning

When crepes are pruned heavily, they respond by re-growing with a vengance.  I have witnessed Crepe Myrtles grow four to six feet in one season.  And while this is remarkable, the problem arises when the plant blooms in July.  Rampant growth produces large blooms. Large blooms catch rain water and become heavy.  Heavy blooms can’t be supported by a six-foot stem and respond by bending, or ‘weeping’ over.  ”But it doesn’t look that bad, Russ,” you may say.  True, but it could look so much better, and be easier to manage in the winter.

Crepe Myrtles have an elegance and sophistication to them that is only seen when they are managed well.  A well-managed crepe myrtle is, first and foremost, planted in a good spot. It is surrounded by mulch of some sort, and it is pruned very, very little.  In fact, the older a crepe is, the less it needs pruning.

Anyway, I will show you what a well-managed crepe looks like…when I find one.  And I will certainly be posting more about pruning when it comes time to do this in the winter.